Is this high-noon for Prezza? Did he have a dirty weekend away on the taxpayer? Guido sources confirm that Pauline was not on the U.S. trip. So where was his diary secretary Tracey?

Prezza’s story is falling apart – he stayed the weekend on “a private visit” the cost of which was donated to charity, except it turns out it was paid for by the taxpayer. He had no involvement in the decision making process awarding the billionaire ranch owner the Dome contract, yet we have been told for months he is a hands-on DPM. His story is bollocks. You can tell it is a big story because Nick Robinson is ignoring it – the Beeb knows this could be fatal for Prezza. Particularly if it is true that the Daily Mail has bought up the eagerly awaited story from an official government driver about Three Shags’ backseat fumblings with Rosie Winterton* et al.

*So sue. Rosie threatened to sue The Sun if they named her as Prescott’s other mistress. Caligula made his horse a senator, making Rosie Winterton a Privy Counsellor is just taking the piss out of the public. Prescott’s former secretaries have a habit of gaining rapid promotion. The amazing fast-track progress of his last diary secretary (but one) to becoming a first secretary at the British embassy in Beijing is similarly remarkable.